Welcome to the age group where we change the size of the rugby ball (size 4; U11 and U9 use size 3), add 2 new positions to the scrum (2 locks-the “second row”) making a full side of 12 players, and more kicking (open play punting, conversion, and penalty kicks). Additionally, we add more skill sets: mastering the spin pass, punting, kicking from a tee, scrum half pass, and an in depth understanding and ability to play every position (except the loose forwards, #6, 7, and 8).
The focus of our U13 program is fun while continuing to build on the skills they learned in U9 and U11 play (no worries for “new-to-rugby” players; our coaching staff will ensure they are taught all of the skills up to and including the U13 skill sets). We continue to advance our players’ tactical thinking and put more leadership responsibility on our players. Fitness, speed, strength, and agility training will also be a part of practice sessions but because of our limited practice time, the coaching staff will remind players of the importance of working on their personal fitness improvement outside of practice times.
USA Rugby is also a proud member of the Positive Coaching Alliance. Positive Coaching Alliance focuses on coaching youth sports student athletes to learn valuable life lessons. USA Rugby provides the Positive coaching alliance online courses to all certified coaches. We at Alliance Rugby are committed to promote a ‘win-win’ attitude, winning on the field and off it and where “winning” is defined as a player giving their very best effort and measuring success in terms of personal improvement.
Leadership opportunities for the U13 players will be available leading warm ups during practice and before matches and we will have rotating team captains each match, allowing every player to perform as team captain. In addition, we will look for U11 players who would like to support the U15 side by helping with “shagging” rugby balls after warm-ups and during the match and carrying water to the players during breaks in the match.
The 12-a-side schedule starts in January with practices every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:30 PM. Depending on player ability, we will have informal practices on Sunday afternoons starting in December. Matches will be held nearly every Saturday starting in February and running through middle April. During that time we will have a statewide tournament in the mid state region (last year it was in Waco) and a second statewide tournament on the Texas A&M rugby grounds in early April. Both of these will offer us the opportunity to play teams we do not normally get to play. For these tournaments, we coordinate parents driving and the times are set so that the tournament does not require overnighting.
Starting in May, we transition to 7’s rugby for the summer
with a more relaxed practice schedule (1 time
a week), matches most Saturdays and 2-3 tournaments during the course of
the summer and then close up the program in mid July, depending on the
available tournaments. For details on
practices and matches, please see the ARC calendar.
So, I’m guessing you’re ready to “hit the pitch” and you wonder what’s next. Take a look at the ARC Youth Welcome Packet and the other pages in this section of our web site. Please give us a shout if you have any questions. This packet has “all things ARC” to include dues and equipment questions that are often asked. Welcome to Alliance U13 Rugby and see you out on the pitch!
Note: normal cutoff for the qualifying age group is 1 Sep (ie. a player that turns 13 on 2 Sep is eligible to play U13; a player that turns 13 on 1 Sep would normally play U15, however we want all of our kids to play where they are comfortable and so if there is a player who is not quite ready to move up to U13, they are more than welcome to continue playing U11). See ARC Youth Registration for more registration information.
ARC Coaches’, Parents’, and Players’ Code
of Ethics
USA Rugby’s “Rugby for Parents”
To access other topics, return to www.alliancerugby.org